Boise, November 17, 2020 – Downtown Boise Association’s Holidays in the City campaign is a full month of family-friendly promotions planned to benefit the community and downtown businesses beginning on the evening of Friday, November 27th. The campaign includes Small Business Weekend, Winter Windows, and City Santa. The DBA also hosts the City of Boise’s Holiday Tree that supports the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) on The Grove Plaza.
City of Boise’s Holiday Tree in Support of WCA
The giving tree partnership between WCA and DBA is a long-standing tradition in Downtown Boise. The tree will be surrounded with gift tags that will have a wish list item from Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA). Starting on November 27th, the public is encouraged to take a tag and purchase a gift to benefit families at the shelter. Items can be dropped off at WCA or any of the following Idaho Central Credit Union branch locations by December 18, 2020:
Downtown Branch
200 N. 4th St.
Boise, ID 83702
Vista Branch
2770 S. Vista Ave.
Boise, ID 83705
The City of Boise’s Holiday Tree was installed on The Grove Plaza in Downtown Boise on the morning of Monday, November 16th, 2020. This year’s tree was donated by Heatherwood Senior Living of Boise. Approximately 5,000 lights will adorn the Blue Spruce that stands around 35 feet tall. The tree will be crowned with a brand-new ”3D snowburst” topper.
This year, in lieu of the traditional tree lighting ceremony, the public is encouraged to make Downtown Boise a destination starting the evening of Friday, November 27th to make their way through town to view decorated window displays as part of the Winter Windows promotion, visit shops to kick off Small Business Weekend, and to celebrate the start of the holiday season with all that Downtown Boise has to offer in a socially distanced manner. Swag lights, wreaths, and holiday lights will adorn Downtown Boise giving a festive glow to the season. For details, see below:
Winter Windows
Friday, November 27th through December 2020
Downtown Business windows will be decked out for the season as part of the Winter Windows promotion. On the evening of Friday, November 27th, businesses will “unveil” their windows and light up downtown with holiday cheer. Mayor McLean will do a live social media event from an undisclosed location as shop owners welcome the public to view their displays and stop in to get a jump on holiday shopping. Many locations will be open late that evening. The public is encouraged to bring the family to make their way through downtown in a socially distanced, family-friendly manner to enjoy the displays.
The community will be able to vote for their favorite window displays via QR codes displayed in participating business windows. Votes automatically enter voters into a drawing for one of three $50 Downtown Boise Gift Cards. The community can vote for their favorite windows through mid- December, and winners will be notified via email.
Small Business Weekend
Friday, November 27th through Sunday, November 29th, 2020
This promotion, designed to encourage the public to shop small and local, is a full weekend this year instead of the traditional Saturday event, and kicks off on Friday night – November 27th. Participating businesses will be hosting specials for the weekend and are ready to welcome the public in accordance with current health and safety guidelines. Shopping online is also encouraged.
We urge the public to visit downtownboise.org to see a list of participating businesses and make a plan to support their favorite stores or discover something new the weekend after Thanksgiving. While shopping in person or making a purchase online November 27th – 29th, shoppers can get their Shopping Passport stamped from participating businesses. Completed passports have a minimum of six stamps and should be turned into Rediscovered Bookshop by closing time on Sunday, November 29th. Completed passports will be entered to win one of three $100 Downtown Boise Gift Cards. Shopping Passports can be picked up at participating businesses or can be printed online at downtownboise.org beginning November 27th. Online shoppers must send one email with screen shots of purchases from six participating locations to [email protected] to be entered to win. Social posts should include #shopsmallboise.
City Santa
Saturday, December 5th, 12th & 19th
Kids are encouraged to drop a letter to Santa at the Downtown D.L. Evans branch on 9th and Main. Look for Santa’s mailbox!
Downtown Boise Gift Cards
Downtown Boise gift cards are for sale at seven convenient locations and are good at more than 300 participating retail shops and service providers in Downtown Boise. The gift card program, managed and supported by DBA, adds more than $275,000 annually to the downtown economy. Downtown Boise Gift Cards can be purchased online at downtownboise.org or at the DBA office within the times slated below, JD’s Bodega, Bodega Boise, Hotel 43, Grove Hotel, The Vandal Store, or the Old Boise Management Office (by appointment only). Online orders must be placed by noon on Wednesday, December 23rd to be ready in time for Christmas Day.
DBA Office Holiday Hours
101 S Capitol Blvd., Ste 206
Mon. - Thurs. 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Holidays in the City is presented by T-Mobile, with special thanks to our partners and sponsors, including Idaho Central Credit Union, D.L. Evans Bank, City of Boise Mayor’s Office, Boise City Forestry, Women’s and Children’s Alliance, Quality Electric, Rediscovered Bookshop, Idaho Small Business Development Center, Buy Idaho, Small Business Administration, Boise Farmers Market, 94.9 The River, 107.9 Lite FM, Radio Boise, KTVB, and the members and merchants of the Downtown Boise Association. More information can be found at downtownboise.org. Follow Downtown Boise on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
For a calendar of all the family-friendly Holidays in the City events in Downtown Boise this season, go to downtownboise.org.
### Downtown Boise Association is a registered 501(c)6 organization. ###
